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Decision
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Ottawa, 26 April 1989
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Decision CRTC 89-194
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Atlantic Broadcasters Limited
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Antigonish, Nova Scotia - 880330600
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Pursuant to Public Notice CRTC 1988-206 dated 13 December 1988, the Commission denies the application by Atlantic Broadcasters Limited (Atlantic) to amend the broadcasting licence for CJFX Antigonish, by increasing the transmitter power from 10,000 watts to 25,000 watts and by relocating the transmitter site from Post Road to pleasant Valley Road (approximately 13 kilometers north-west).
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According to Atlantic, these technical changes would have provided "a strong, clear signal" to listeners in fringe areas of the present CJFX coverage contour. Specifically it referred to the northern part of Inverness County and the western part of Guysborough County where it is experiencing increased electrical interference from various sources.
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The Commission notes that under the proposed technical changes, CJFX's service would extend eastward beyond the present coverage area to include the eastern half of Cape Breton.
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In considering this application, the Commission has taken into account the opposing intervention from Eastern Group of Companies Limited (Eastern), licensee of CIGO Port Hawkesbury. Eastern questioned the need for the proposed power increase since CJFX's signal is currently receivable during daytime hours in areas of Cape Breton, some 100 to 150 kilometers from Antigonish. Moreover, Eastern expressed concern that the further extension of the CJFX signal could result in a significant loss of advertising revenue for CIGO. It further emphasised that, from an audience and economic viewpoint, CJFX is healthier than CIGO.
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In reply, Altantic argued that the power increase should not affect CIGO because any potential increase in audience would be "along the fringes" of the present CJFX service contour, in areas that are not served by CIGO.
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The Commission is concerned that in view of the current precarious financial position of CIGO in its principal market, any increase in the signal strength of CJFX in communities within the service contour of the Port Hawkesbury radio station could have a harmful impact on CIGO's revenues. For this reason, the Commission is denying this application.
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The Commission also ackowledges the intervention from Celtic Investments Limited, licensee of CJBC and CKPE-FM Sydney, which stated that it did not oppose Atlantic's proposed power increase provided the improved signal strength in Cape Breton did not result in CJFX soliciting advertising within the Sydney, Glace Bay and North Sydney markets. Atlantic's reply offered assurances that it would not be establishing an advertising sales team in the industrial Cape Breton area.
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Fernand Bélisle Secretary General
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